Category Archives: Money Blog

Since budgets are related to income, it’s encouraging to learn of the latest job and income trends.

The list of the 20 most profitable companies in the world, as compiled by 24/7 Wall Street, shows some important trends. Every company on the list (with the exception of Toyota) is either an oil, software or financial services firm. But the latter comprise four of the top 10, with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China earning the top spot with revenues exceeding $89 billion annually.

There has never been a better time in U.S. history to enter the financial services industry. Employment opportunities for financial analysts and personal advisers are expected to grow much faster than the average of all other occupations through 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Those particular career options, however, are just the tip of the iceberg for those with a solid understanding of how banking and financial systems work.

A degree in finance opens the door to near endless possibilities for employment and entrepreneurship. Whether it’s handling payroll, preparing taxes or doing complex market analysis for new businesses and established firms, finance majors are prepared to handle numerous tasks that will be in high demand for the foreseeable future.

For many, one of the hardest elements of maintaining a household is managing overall finances, including spending and balancing a budget. Building a budget can be a stressful undertaking — in fact, the 2014 Stress in America survey by the American Psychological Association found that 64 percent of those surveyed felt that money was a significant source of stress in their lives.

Often people think that tracking expenses is a budget. When actually a budget is a tool that helps you outline a realistic plan for knowing in advance how much money you will need for the month. Tracking expenses is one of the valuable steps involved with maintaining a budget.

For a simple overview of creating a budget, check out the free e-course “Budgeting without Tears” to guide you through the process.

Luckily, there are several apps and online tools to help you take control of your finances, and make it as easy and painless as possible.

Here are a few of our favorites:

There’s an App for That

In the age of smartphones there’s an app for nearly everything, and your budget is no exception. One of the best budgeting apps out there right now is Level Money. It doesn’t allow you to create complicated spreadsheets or automatically warn you when you’ve spent too much, but instead, it Read More →

There’s no need to paint an entire room to achieve a cheery and bright look. Simply add a few colorful touches throughout the room. For example, accent pillows in fun prints and designs can make a dull room pop. Adding other soft, luxurious accessories like throws can also make the room more colorful and inviting. Remember, you don’t have to stick to one color, either. Mixing and matching multiple colors and prints is trendy right now.

Painting is still an option, only rather than painting an entire room, consider painting just one wall for your accent color and focal point.

When a Room Feels Dark

When the room feels dark and closed off, the simple solution is to create more natural light. If the home is lacking windows, install some that are Read More →

Your home is your castle. However, the castle sometimes needs a few updates. A home is also an investment and your free time is valuable too. There are certain projects where poor work leads to expensive code violations, injuries and property damage. Don’t waste your time on attempting those projects.

Here are five home improvement projects where you are better off hiring professionals to handle them from start to finish.

Roofing

Adventurous homeowners sometimes attempt to fix or even replace an entire roof on their own. In addition to the obvious risk of injury, a mistake by a novice leads to roof leaks and significant damage.

The seriousness of this project means you do not want the work done by fly-by-night roofers either. Pick an established local company that has a long history in the community where you can get a great deal of feedback ahead of time from satisfied customers. Or look for national companies in your area, one example being Champion Home Exteriors. Often these solid companies have trained specialists, guarantee quality work and has a lifetime protection agreement. The peace of mind offered by a well installed roof is well worth the cost.

Siding

New siding is also a major improvement, and just like roofing, there are serious consequences for unprofessional work. Shoddy work reduces the curbside appeal (and value) of your home. Improper installation, especially around doors and windows, reduces Read More →

When it comes to purchasing a vehicle, with the variety of regional and metropolitan differences, one size does not always fit all. Fortunately, there are now many options to choose from rather than going through the traditional process of buying or leasing a car.

Some people travel a lot and don’t use their cars for weeks or even months at a time. Perhaps you use public transportation most of the time, but need your own vehicle occasionally, like when family and friends are in town. Or, maybe you only need a car now, and don’t want to commit to a long-term financing plan.

Luckily, there are alternatives for those who don’t want to be stuck with a car they may not want, use or be able to afford down the road. So, before you turn to traditional auto financing, insurance and maintenance, consider one of these alternatives.

Long-Term Rental

Through most well-known rental car agencies, you can temporarily use a vehicle through a long-term car rental agreement. This is an ideal option for people who Read More →

Expert Interview with Judy Lawrence About Financial Security with Mint.com

Judy joins Mint’s Interview Series, which also includes Dave Ramsey, Robert Kiyosaki, and other well-known financial & personal budgeting experts.

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Many times there is just one thing standing in the way of financial security. That one thing is generally the individual looking for that security.

Judy Lawrence of MoneyTracker.com says that once an individual makes the decision to start a new life in terms of finances, half the battle is already won. Committing to the change along with the tips offered by MoneyTracker.com helps individuals stop struggling with money and start living the lives they imagine.

Lawrence offers many tools for individuals interested in financial security in this interview. Read on:

How does MoneyTracker.com help individuals get the financial lives they desire?

The MoneyTracker website offers many free resources, including a 30-minute financial coaching consultation with an experienced master’s-degreed professional who literally sat at thousands of kitchen tables working hands-on with people for decades. Through those resources and services, individuals have the opportunity to gain tools and insights for reaching the financial lives they desire.

I find that individuals who truly want to get the financial lives they desire are Read More →

You found a great apartment or condo, the lease has been signed and in a few days, you’ll be moving into your new place. Moving to a new home is exciting, but packing is among the most dreaded tasks in the history of the world (there is no research to support this, but it’s probably true). Luckily, with a few handy moving hacks and the proper equipment, it’s possible to make it through moving day with all of your stuff and your sanity intact.

Use your clothes as packing materials

Bubble wrap and plain paper can be handy for wrapping up items like glass picture frames, coffee mugs and your dishes, but they can also be spendy. To keep your moving budget on the low side, consider using your clean laundry to wrap up your breakables. A BuzzFeed post full of moving tips points out that you’ll actually be multitasking with this approach: you’re packing your t-shirts and your cereal bowls at the same time. For glasses, clean socks are perfect padding (just stretch the sock and put the glass in it) and for larger items like Read More →

Plastic money has now become an essential fixture in your wallet. But are all cards created equally? From bank-issued debit cards and point-earning credit cards to prepaid cash cards, navigating the many available options can be enough to make your head spin if you aren’t well-versed in finance jargon. Here’s the lowdown on each type of card in plain old English to make it a little easier for you to decide which type of card is best for you.

Debit Card

A debit card offers you instant access to money in your checking account without the hassle of having to go to the bank or ATM to withdraw and carry around cash. If you’re concerned about racking up debt, this is an ideal option because your spending is limited to the money that you already have in your account. There is the possibility of over drafting your checking account with a debit card, which can come with steep fees, however, Read More →

Money’s tight and the bills continue to roll in, but it’s essential that you travel to be with your loved ones this holiday season. No need to fork over a large sum of cash on airfare if a road trip is an option; an extended road trip will get the job done at a fraction of the cost. Here are some money-saving tips to get you started:

1. Plan Ahead

When looking to hit the road for an extended period of time, it’s best to plan ahead to get the biggest bang for your buck and minimize the risk of incurring unnecessary costs. For starters, you’ll want to determine what you plan to do, how long you will spend at your destination and come up with an estimate of total costs so you can save accordingly. And don’t forget about packing those special pieces — if you forget to pack the appropriate gear or clothing, you could end up spending hundreds you didn’t anticipate beforehand.

2. Vehicle Check-up

If you’ll be taking your own vehicle on the road in lieu of a rental, don’t forget to Read More →

Your utility bills do not follow the same rules as your other bills. Most payments do not change because of the season—your car payment is not contingent on the number of miles driven and your mortgage is not a function of the hours spent at home. Sudden spikes in already overpriced utility bills, however, can come during peak times of the year, depending on where you live. Luckily, there are ways to keep your electricity bill low during a Miami summer or drop the gas bill when snow comes in Cleveland.

Electric

Using less energy and using it at the right time will bring down your electric bill. The place to go after your overpriced electric bill will depend on the things that you use the most, which is dependent on where you live. For example, Read More →

Testimonials

“Judy's “Budget Kit” book is simple, easy-to-use, and complete. It is clearly the best budgeting and money management book on the market today. It is literally helping me completely change my relationship with money and my confidence in managing it.”—from Amazon, Tom C.

“My wife and I have used your book "The Budget Kit" book for several years now and have become quite good at controlling our income and expenses using this wonderful book- thanks to you! Your budgeting techniques have revolutionized our financial lives and we are grateful to you, to say the least.”—Andrew Hardin

“Working with Judy has helped me bring order to my financial life on a monthly basis and to clarify my big-picture financial goals. Her supportive, practical coaching style guided me towards budgeting solutions and behaviors that fit my own core values and lifestyle, and has given me a greater sense of peace and personal success."—Jonathon Petts

"Judy’s seminar provides you the confidence needed to eliminate fear, reduce spending and get control over your finances by providing easy to use tools and concepts.”—Maria Montoya Chavez, Family Law Specialist

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